The Centre for Security Governance is hosting the fourth Waterloo Symposium on Technology & Society, featuring Douglas Rushkoff. Named one of the “world’s ten most influential intellectuals” by MIT, Rushkoff is an author and documentarian who studies human autonomy in a digital age. In this new talk, Rushkoff argues that we are essentially social creatures, and that we achieve our greatest aspirations when we work together — not as individuals. Yet today society is threatened by a vast antihuman infrastructure that undermines our ability to connect. Money, once a means of exchange, is now a means of exploitation; education, conceived as a way to elevate the working class, has become another assembly line; and the Internet has only further divided us into increasingly atomized and radicalized groups. Rushkoff will show that when we work together, we realize greater happiness, productivity, and peace. If we can understand this fundamental truth and reassert our humanity — together — we can make the world a better place to be human.
Following the keynote, there will be a panel discussion featuring Douglas Rushkoff, Sara Bannerman, and Marcel O’Gorman with moderation from Nahlah Ayed, award winning journalist and host of the CBC Radio show IDEAS. The symposium will be recorded for a future episode of IDEAS.
Join us for a reception (including complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and food) after the event.
The Waterloo Symposium on Technology & Society seeks to promote public discourse in Canada and beyond on the societal challenges and opportunities created by innovations in four primary areas: artificial intelligence, robotics, big data and social media.
For more information, visit the CSG website, or reserve a ticket here.
